Robotics
Humanoid robot 'Atlas' keeps a calm head
In a demo video, scientists from Google subsidiary Boston Dynamics show the results of their current work on the humanoid robot 'Atlas'. Even deliberate disruptive maneuvers do not throw the biped off its stride.
The advanced version of the 'Atlas' robot - 'Atlas Next Generation' - orients itself independently. It can move over rough terrain and overcome obstacles on its own. Highly sensitive sensors in the upper body and flexible legs help the robot to maintain its balance. Hydraulic systems enable it to walk. An integrated high-performance battery provides the power for operation. The robot's developers envisage the use of 'Atlas Next Generation' both indoors and outdoors. Regardless of obstacles or disruptive maneuvers - the robot is designed to carry out and complete its task, such as stacking boxes, correctly.
The first version of 'Atlas' was presented to the public in summer 2013 and has been continuously revised since then. Compared to its predecessor, the new version of the robot has shrunk by 15 centimetres to 1.75 meters. The engineers have also reduced the weight by almost half: Currently, 'Atlas Next Generation' only weighs around 81 kg.
You might also be interested in
Hyundai buys Boston Dynamics
The robots from Boston Dynamics continue to cause a stir with videos in which they run, jump and carry boxes. But building a business out of them costs a lot of money and work - and now there's another change of ownership.
read more...Kuka wants to enter the 3C market
At the Hannover Messe, Kuka presented the KR 3, the most compact model in its Agilus family of small robots to date. With this robot, the Augsburg-based company wants to enter a new market environment: electronics production.
read more...Record order intake, sales and earnings
The Kuka Group closed the 2015 financial year with record figures. Due to the strong global demand for robots and automation solutions, both order intake and sales as well as earnings increased by a significant double-digit percentage.
read more...Review of the 'Expert Days on Service Robotics'
"Human meets Robotics" - this was the motto of Schunk's 9th 'Expert Days on Service Robotics'. It became clear that international standards are needed for robot-supported assistance systems to become a matter of course in everyday industrial life.
read more...Universal Robots - Sales almost doubled
Universal Robots, the Danish manufacturer of collaborative robots, achieved a turnover of 56 million euros last year - a growth of 91% compared to the previous year. Profits increased even more.
read more...Aquias' research project launched
The kick-off event for the 'Aquias' research project took place at the Fraunhofer IAO on February 2 and 3. Its aim is to enable broad groups of employees to participate in attractive work in human-robot collaboration.
read more...MTCON and Sensor-Technik Wiedemann combine expertise
MTConnectivity power2pcb (MTCON) has a new shareholder: Sensor-Technik Wiedemann (STW) has held a stake in the power element manufacturer since the end of 2019.
read more...Electromobility / green electricity
Intelligent charging saves fossil fuels
Charging electric cars can overload the electricity grid and lead to fossil fuel power plants having to step in. This is unnecessary and leads to high costs for grid operators. BMW and Tennet want to change this.
read more...Service robotics at Conrad Electronic
Sales robots in use around the clock
To provide its customers with a 24/7 shopping experience in Berlin Schöneberg, Conrad Electronic has now deployed a sales robot. The robot 'Alex' is designed to provide a high-tech shopping experience. It comes from the manufacturer pi4_robotics.
read more...